The National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) will transition from AtkinsRéalis to Ordnance Survey, enhancing public infrastructure.
- Ordnance Survey will operate NUAR on a cost-recovery basis with public beta availability by Spring 2025.
- The Geospatial Commission will oversee NUAR’s policy and performance, ensuring sustained development and security.
- NUAR’s progression to a public beta is expected to generate £400 million annually in economic benefits.
- Key stakeholders express optimism about Ordnance Survey’s stewardship of NUAR, emphasising improved safety and efficiency.
The National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) is set to transition from AtkinsRéalis to Ordnance Survey, marking a significant shift in the management of underground asset data. This transition, expected to be completed by Spring 2025, aims to make NUAR a public beta service available to various stakeholders, including asset owners, contractors, and accredited surveyors. By operating on a cost-recovery basis, Ordnance Survey underscores its commitment to public services.
The Geospatial Commission has announced it will retain long-term oversight of NUAR’s policy and performance. The Commission’s decision reflects a strategic focus on ensuring the continuous enhancement of the service’s capabilities and security. In transferring operations to Ordnance Survey, the aim is to leverage their extensive expertise in geographic data management to improve the quality and accessibility of underground asset information.
NUAR is projected to catalyse economic growth, potentially adding £400 million annually through improved data-sharing efficiency and reduced utility strikes. Currently, workers face significant delays—averaging over six days—to obtain the necessary information about underground pipelines. The streamlined access NUAR promises could drastically cut these delays, expediting project timelines and reducing costs.
Optimism surrounds the announcement, with AtkinsRéalis expressing pride in its foundational role in NUAR’s development. They anticipate supporting Ordnance Survey during the transition phase to ensure the platform’s continued refinement. Ordnance Survey’s CEO, Nick Bolton, has emphasised the potential benefits of applying their mapping expertise to this vital underground infrastructure project.
Voices from the industry, including representatives from Northumbrian Water and Lincolnshire County Council, welcome the transition. They advocate for the centralisation of asset information as essential to safeguarding national infrastructure. The confidence in Ordnance Survey as the new custodian of NUAR is bolstered by their history of managing critical geographic data.
Ultimately, the shift in NUAR’s management to Ordnance Survey is seen as a pivotal moment in underground asset management. The transition not only aligns with broader public interest in efficient infrastructure management but also promises enhanced safety for utility workers and the general public.
The transition of NUAR to Ordnance Survey is poised to transform underground asset management, bolstering economic and safety outcomes.
